Viking Ships Archaeological ships. Oslo. Norway. 2016.

The Viking ships are the central attraction in the permanent exhibition at the Viking Age Museum in Oslo, and are considered one of the most valuable national treasures we have in Norway. In order to preserve the ships while at the same time exhibit them to an ever-increasing audience, the current museum is being expanded with a new extension that will open to the public in 2026.

DIFK was engaged together with Brekke-Strand and MG Engineering to secure and move the ships Oseberg, Gokstad and Tune, as well as the smaller sleds Gustafson, Shetelig and Fjerde. The task consisted of developing analysis models for each artifact, vibration-isolating the objects during the construction of the new building, designing transport rigs for the movement of the ships and sleds, and finally constructing new support systems for the exhibition in the new museum. The work is carried out in close collaboration with the museum’s conservator.

The artifacts are very fragile. They are no longer whole objects, but are assembled from excavations in many small pieces, to show their original shape. It was therefore difficult to calculate the statics, as we could not test the endurance without risking destroying the objects. The assignment places high demands on documentation and verification. We have developed a new methodology for understanding the statics. Using vibrations, one can visualize the objects and make calculations based on the observations – similar as in geological surveys. One can then scale the analyses, and plan for sensible and verifiable implementation.

The transport of the ships to the new building will take place using roof-mounted lifting rigs, and is planned to be completed in 2025.